England announced their squad for the home Test series against West Indies earlier this week, with a few interesting selection calls. On Monday, ECB managing director Rob Key addressed the media in a virtual press conference, explaining the rationale behind the choices.  

Prominent omissions from the squad included Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Mark Wood, Jack Leach and Ollie Robinson. Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith received a first international call-up, as did Nottinghamshire pacer Dillon Pennington. Another uncapped cricketer is Gus Atkinson, who was part of the squad for England's tour of India earlier this year. Matthew Potts and batter Dan Lawrence were also named in the 14-strong squad.

Among those left out, Bairstow is the only one who played the recently concluded T20 World Cup where defending champions England were knocked out by eventual champions India in the semi-final. He endured a difficult spell in the tournament, which followed an up-and-down IPL season and a lean Test tour of India.

Key: Bairstow's form 'going slightly the wrong direction'

Key explained Bairstow's omission: "Jonny just needs to get back to what he was a couple of years ago.I think that generally, his form in all formatshas just been going slightly the wrong direction. And you want him to get back to what he was when Brendon [McCullum] and Ben [Stokes] started out.

"It's an arduous task being a keeper as well, going forward.So you want someone who can back up series after series.And we weren't convinced that Jonny would be able to do that,especially at the stage of his career that he's at."

There was speculations of Bairstow being rested after spending nearly six months on the road. After the 50-over World Cup in November, he went on the tour of India from January to March before playing the IPL for another two months. Just five days after that, he was off to the Caribbean for the month-long T20 World Cup. However, Key made no mention of this as a consideration.

Key was also clear on the reasons behind Jamie Smith's inclusion: "Well, we've been watching Jamie Smith for quite some time. We've done a fair amount on his keeping as well, because obviously we don't get to see much of him keeping county cricket, but he's more than a stopgap keeper, that's for sure.

"We want people who can not only sort of up the ante if they have to, batting with the tail, but also soak up pressure as well.And we feel that Jamie Smith can do that.Also, sometimes you're selecting people for what they're going to be as well,and where you think they can progress to."

'Not the end for Jack Leach' – Key backs left-armer despite exclusion

The other major surprise was the exclusion of left-arm spinner Jack Leach, thought to be England's first choice in Test cricket. However, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir got the nod instead. Both players had been selected for the India tour but had contrasting fortunes. Leach picked up an injury in the first match and was ruled out of the series, while Bashir picked up 17 wickets in his first ever Test series.

Key explained: "Shoaib Bashir, I loved watching what he did in India, really. And the same thing where you're picking someonebecause you just see that potential.I think that he's an excellent bowler now.That was a tough task for someone to come in and do what he did.And in terms of just when you watch him bowl, you just think he's got everything, really, as a striker.

"He'll get better.He's right at the beginning of his career now.So now it's an opportunity, and I think we'll see him thrive.We'll see him grow as time goes on as well.So he's very much someone that we're backing to do that.

"Jack Leach, it doesn't mean that his time's done with us.You know, if there's ever a time when we need a second spinner,I'd imagine that would be Jack Leach.When we go to places like Pakistan,I see someone like Jack Leach fulfilling that second spinner role. And who knows what might happen?You know, injuries, anything like that.So it's very much not the end for Jack Leach."

England will take on West Indies in the first Test of the series at Lord's, starting from July 10.

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